Battery Maintenance ?

[david gussie]

Battery Maintenance

Just bought a 2004 Altima SL. I noticed that the battery is not maintenance free. Its been a long time since we use to add distilled water to the battery. Is that all that is needed to be done or is their more? Assuming the terminals are kept clean too. why would Nissan does this with all the reliable MF batteries on the market today?

[Defiant]

As with everything else sold by manufacturers (of anything), it's a matter of costs. They might save a quarter in quantity by not going to an MF battery. However, regular old normal batteries seem to run a good five years anymore.... and that's with the usual owner's complete neglect. If you want to go nuts on a battery, get a hundred-dollar Optima. It'll start you up just like a $40 DuraMax will..... but probably not for three times as long.Keeping the top surface clean of debris that can hold conductive moisture is one of the best maintenance steps you can carry out on a battery, and protecting the termials by using the felt washers with the corrosion inhibitor topped off with a spritz of that red junk in the little spray cans from the end of the battery island at Wal*Mart will pretty-much take care of you. Modern batteries have enough water capacity to let them go through their lives without the levels ever being checked.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I dont believe in "Maint Free" batteries. If you keepyour battery in top condition, you wont have circuits partiallyopening and causing electrical diagnoses problems.

BUT I do believe in batteries that explode. My dad had oneblow on him and my wifes relative did too. Always wear safety glasses. Also be in a well vented area so the gases don't causean explosion and you are better to have a fan blowing the gasesoff. SO2 sux.

Keep the top of the battery clean or else dirt leaves etc willshort it out.

Be sure to use a good flashlight so you can see where thewater is. It should just cover the lead inside.

You need to use only Distilled water in your batteries

If you notice when you check the water level on them, the end holesneed more water usually.

Make sure you have the caps on well (very well) and use a mixtureof bicarbonate soda and water to clean the acid off periodically.Clean the posts and clean the battery and battery tray too. I wouldnt unhook the battery cables every time for this but use commonsense

Be careful

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Oh yeah

When charging the battery have the caps off with the proper water level. It will fizz a little out of the holes so keep it wipedup and watch the charge level. Don't smoke or create sparkscause the gas could ignite (need good ventilation). Dont justleave it but watch it closely.

My charger is a slow charge type. Definetly safer than a "jumper"type